Lions enjoy purrrfect season

ROYALS dominated the 2019 Great Southern Women’s Football League season claiming the premiership against Railways at Centennial Stadium on Friday night and remaining unbeaten throughout the year.

The Lions jumped out of the box with coach Claire Hard booting the first goal of the game.

The game then tightened up in front of a huge crowd and at half-time Royals went in 1.4 (10) whilst keeping the Tigers scoreless.

Kylie Douglas nailed a major after the long break and Royals turned for home 18 points up.

The Tigers had some scoring opportunities in the final term but couldn’t kick straight and Royals took out the game 2.6 (18) to Railways 0.3 (3).

The Lions’ Renae Parsons was awarded best-on-ground honours and she was ably supported by Abby Duncan, Tahlia Scott and Leah Field.

As victorious coach, Hard was ecstatic after guiding last year’s team to the grand final winning every game except the premiership.

“So to go one better this year was absolutely brilliant,” she said.

“We really have an amazing group of players.

“What is special is the range of ages, from 15-year-olds to 39-year-olds, all playing the game they love together.”

Hard said the GSWFL was continuing to grow with both increased numbers, participation and crowds and the skill level had improved dramatically.

She has already signed up to coach in 2020 and hoped the season would be extended to beyond six rounds and finals.

Following the women’s grand final, Albany Sharks hosted North Albany and the first quarter was an enthralling contest with Kangas holding the slimmest of leads 3.2 (20) to 3.1 (19).

But North kicked eight of the next nine goals to run away convincing winners 11.14 (80) to 4.6 (30).

Denmark-Walpole and Mt Barker clashed at Sounness Park with the home team taking the points in an entertaining game.

Mt Barker finished 14.13 (97), with Dionne Woods booting six goals well supported by Jesse Wynne with four, to the Magpies 11.4 (70).

In the final game on Sunday, Railways bucked the odds to beat Royals who had been ruthless in the opening two rounds.

The Lions lost two players in the warm-up before the game and never recovered with Railways compiling 11.17 (83) to Royals 8.7 (55).

Round four has Royals hosting Denmark-Walpole at Centennial Stadium on Saturday, Mt Barker play North Albany at Sounness Park and Railways play the Sharks on Sunday at Tigerland.

In other football news, the Albany Vikings AFL Masters will hold a Mixed Spectacular at Collingwood Park on Saturday afternoon.

Vikings President Sean Maguire said not since Nordic time have Viking men and women shared the battle ground.

“This coming weekend, lines will again be drawn in the grass,” he said.

“The Albany Vikings have invited the amazing GSFL women (and any budding superstar) to join them for a day and night of good fun and laughs with a mixed game of AFL with Masters rules followed by a dinner in the clubrooms.”

Masters rules include no tackling, no crashing into packs, fun is compulsory and, arguably the most important rule, everyone has to go to work on Monday.